DREAM CONNECTION!

Sunday’s Monday

God gave me an interesting thought this morning as I was listening to a video of Denzel Washington speaking encouragement to a college graduating class. He said, “dreams without goals, are just dreams and ultimately fuel disappointment.” In which my brain immediately went to that useless little four-letter word called “lazy,” of which Satan has indoctrinated many to believe is the best way of life. Far too many people have wasted and are wasting their lives, never developing their talents, forsaking their internal passions, all in the vanity of seeking something for nothing. This type of lifestyle usually produces little more than a meager survival, while continually fueling desires of, easy street dreams. I know! I feel the confusion rising because we have been trained to view everything through worldly vision. Truth is, people, yes even Christians, secretly search for the elusive easy street to effortlessly relieve the burdens applied by life on planet earth. All of us have at some point discarded heavenly blessings in search of fleshly comfort. Satan, the thief of this world, has perfected His ability to entice our flesh with half-truths and whole lies of easy living. He sends dreams of fame and fortune to fule emotions of jealousy, envy, and covetousness. John warns of this in John 10:10 (NLT), The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. Jesus will abundantly supply every spiritual need we have in this life, and in doing so our physical life will be sufficiently supplied if we depend on Him.

Just this past week I had a lady speak to me about a dream she had, which led to a lengthy discussion on the value of dreams and if we should believe in them. To which I replied, yes; I believe in the value of dreams and yes, I believe God still uses dreams to communicate with us, as well I believe the same of Satan. Ergo, every dream needs to be taken into the counsel of God, “and then,” spoken before proven men of God, seeking confirmation with a clear understanding to find that peace of God in the situation. As John explains in John 10:14-15 (NLT), 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So, I sacrifice my life for the sheep. As simple as this is to understand, I’ve spent half my life avoiding the reality of God’s willingness to lead me from glory to glory. When He says, “I sacrifice my life,” it didn’t start or end at the cross. Jesus is dedicating all of eternity to shepherding His flock. Jesus said, “I am with you always” in Matthew 28:20.

I believe this subject hit me hard because I grew up with childhood dreams and yet as a young adult had only one aspiration, get what I wanted asap. After decades of failures, I became a colorist in the textile industry and loved it. I actually got pretty good at it, but it came late. I was already deeply addicted to pleasing myself! Which led to a life of taking one step forward, only to remain two behind. I kept sabotaging my dreams with ignorance, stupidity, and fear. I had no understanding of how to work goals and was stupid enough to believe if I set a goal, it would work. I had far too much pride to admit, I didn’t understand. Obviously, with no goals, my dreams perpetuated master failures at every turn. Finally, the day came when I found myself in the position of the Jews in John 10:24 (NLT), The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” I also was at the end of my rope, so I confronted God to prove Himself plainly. Well! It wasn’t plain like I asked, but within seconds He became visual in the events that were unfolding around me.

I describe it as God’s “time-released miracle!” Everything around me purposely changed gradually and methodically, allowing me time to keep up and learn. He gave me a dream, with a goal, plus a mentor to help me understand. I learned to view fame and fortune through His eyes. Seeing the true wealth in hope, adorned with love, and abundant with the blessings of God. He set me a goal of following Him for all eternity, traveling in His grace, goodness, and mercy. John 10:27-28 (NLT), 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me. Please note: every God dream comes with a plan for success that unfolds one day at a time! Dreams and visions are merely unseen vapors unless we act upon them.

Lord grant each of us a crystal clear understanding of John 10:25 (NLT), Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. Father help us learn to allow you to shine bright through our daily living. May people feel your love in our presence and desire a relationship with you. Help us Lord to simply get out of your way in all we do! Amen

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

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